February 4, 2006
Monarchs fall in spring men’s tennis openers against Coastal Carolina, Mount Olive
Methodist now 1-2 overall after defeats against NCAA Division I, Division II opponents

CONWAY, S.C. – The spring season kicked off for the Methodist Monarch men’s tennis team on Saturday, and the Monarchs dropped 5-1 decisions against NCAA Division I Coastal Carolina and NCAA Division II Mount Olive at the Day on the Clay Invitational at Coastal Carolina. The defeat makes Methodist’s overall record for the season 1-2.

Matthew Siegel recorded Methodist’s lone victory in singles at No. 6 against Coastal Carolina. He outlasted Coastal Carolina’s Ryan Weisband 1-6, 6-1, 10-7. There were no doubles matches played in the contest.

Three other Monarchs had strong outings against the Chanticleers. Keith Criscoe dropped a 6-3, 6-3 decision at No. 1 to David Mellis and Chris Fletcher dropped a 6-4, 6-2 decision to Elliott Quibell at No. 2. At No. 5, the Monarchs’ Mike Layton fought hard in a 6-4, 6-4 decision to Coastal Carolina’s Richard Redding.

The match against Mount Olive was closer than the score indicated as four matches went the full three sets. Fletcher posted the lone Monarch victory at No. 2 with a 6-2, 2-6, 10-7 victory over the Trojans’ Bruno Capato, while Criscoe dropped a thrilling 6-4, 6-7 (7-0), 10-6 decision against Gabriel Garcia from Mount Olive at No. 1. In addition, Layton dropped a tough 6-4, 4-6, 10-7 decision at No. 5 to Eprain Capana, and Siegel fell at No. 6 3-6, 6-2, 10-7 against the Trojans’ Lars Faber.

Methodist plays its home opener on Feb. 19 with a doubleheader scheduled against North Carolina Central and Hampden-Sydney.

Coastal Carolina 5, Methodist 1
Singles:
1. David Mellis (CC) d. Keith Criscoe 6-3, 6-3
2. Elliott Quibell (CC) d. Chris Fletcher 6-4, 6-2
3. Taylor Simon (CC) d. David Hardy 6-0, 6-0
4. Andy Caress (CC) d. Sam Miller 6-1, 6-2
5. Richard Redding (CC) d. Mike Layton 6-4, 6-4
6. Matthew Siegel (M) d. Ryan Weisband 1-6, 6-1, 10-7

Mount Olive 5, Methodist 1
Singles:
1. Gabriel Garcia (MO) d. Keith Criscoe 6-4, 6-7 (7-0), 10-6
2. Chris Fletcher (M) d. Bruno Capato 6-2, 2-6, 10-7
3. Guilherne Serra (MO) d. David Hardy 6-1, 6-4
4. Felipe Olarte (MO) d. Sam Miller 6-3, 6-3
5. Efrain Capana (MO) d. Mike Layton 4-6, 6-4, 10-7
6. Lars Faber (MO) d. Matthew Siegel 3-6, 6-2, 10-7